Relaxed Student
I have always tried to make my student feel at ease,because a relaxed student will accept knowlede more easily them if he feels pressured..
I also practice this, but it can work equally as well when you allow the students to bring in relevant stories from their own personal experiences or current events. In my classes it has helped jumpstart their creativity and participation right at the beginning of the class. Using their own enthusiasm over sharing what they have found helps make them more at ease and relaxed; especially when many of them have just left their stressful, full-time day jobs.
I often start my classes by sharing a relevant story from my personal experience and bring the discussion around to the topic for the day, this gives the student a starting point and a less intimidating introduction to the lecture. My aim is to give the students perspective and applicability in their future careers. Relaxed students tend to be more amiable to discussion.
Hi Melanie!
I agree!
I like to give students a friendly welcome as they enter the classroom and I often provide snacks - just depends on the time of the class. Soft, relaxing music is also a good way for students to have a moment to relax and get in the moment.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I try an use humor to set a relaxing atmosphere in my class. Cooking is stressful enough as it is so a little humor lets the student feel less stressed.
relaxed students can take in much more, and actually remember because they are not stressed out. I like to start my class by asking everyone how they are doing and if anyone has anytjhin gto share before we get started, it seems to help them get relaxed
melanie
I agree with you, my experience has always been to losen my class. I find that humor works and opens my class up for participation.
Ineresting that you would say that! I had another instructor to say exactly the same thing and I had really not given that much thought. I do recognize that not every student had a good high school experience.
So how do you adjust the environmnet so this doesn't happen?
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
One way of getting students to relaxed is to remove the fear of high school. If a student sees any relationship between the present class and high school most time it brings back unwanted memories.
A student who is relaxed has more absorption . Makes the course more fun, and keep the learning pace at a realistic level, and will retain more of the material
See I agree on this but I find it difficult to do in the kitchen setting of the lab. Also in real life settings that is all it is (High pressure situations) so we try to keep them relaxed but give them high stress/high pressure situations.
I know which days are going to be tough for my students.
so the day before I give them a heads up to what they are going to be walking into.
I tell them "before you come in do your yoga, tai chi, and meditation- come focused and prepared for the task at hand"
Though some instructors will play classical music for them while they work (like for a knife skills exam)- I do not. As much as I want them to relax (not panic)- they need to (and they know this) work at a demanding pace in order to get their required dishes done on time.
Good morning Morgan!
The following is a statement that I made earlier in the discussion chain and contend this is the best approach, "it appears most of you agree that a relaxed atmosphere with creative learning opportunities is the best environment for students".
Keep up the good work!
Jane DAvis
ED107 Facilitator
When teaching knife skills to build confidence I say "that is a good start let me show you how to make it better".
Hi Robert!
Excellent thought! I currently am working with gentlemen - of which the majority are felons - who do not have self confidence or feeling of self worth. Therefore, they don't feel like they can learn or that the system is going to work for them. But I am going to try something different this week. I want to give them an opportunity to relax before we get started with class. And that is where music is going to help - I hope.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I agree. A possitive attitude and a good explanation of objectives may not be enough. Making students feel that they will be given the tools to succeed goes a long way in relieving stress.they will tend to be more relaxed if given some assurance they will be able to learn.
Hi Ronald and Al!
It sounds like that you both have your students best interest at heart. I like the terminology "at east" better than "relaxed". Relaxed for me means down time "relaxation" verses "at ease" being comfortable with surroundings/situation. What do you think?
Good thoughts!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I agree with you Al, but is there a point where they get toooooo relaxed?
Good morning to each of you!
It appears most of you agree that a relaxed atmosphere with creative learning opportunities is the best environment for students.
Thanks for all the input!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I have to agree with you. A relaxed atmosphere will lead to relaxed students. They learn more when they feel good about the class, the instructor, and the experience. The trick is to balance the learning with topic related conversation to give them a chance to associate the lesson on point with an analogy. Sometime's the light doesn't go on until you give them a chance to visualize it.
